Aims and Methods: Squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid is very rare and h
as a poor prognosis. Treatment and outcome were retrospectively analysed in
a consecutive series of 16 patients treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital,
with the aim of establishing guidelines for management.
Results: Twelve of the 16 patients had locoregional disease only at present
ation and four had distant metastases. Eight of the 16 underwent surgery an
d four were given post-operative radiotherapy. Radiotherapy alone was used
in six patients unsuitable for surgery.
Median survival was 16 months. There were three long-term survivors; each h
ad localized disease treated with surgery and post-operative radiotherapy.
Patients treated with surgery alone all developed local recurrence. Two of
six patients treated with radiotherapy alone had a partial response but all
subsequently developed progressive local disease. Chemotherapy was used in
two patients with no response.
Conclusions: Long-term survival is possible if disease is diagnosed early a
nd is completely resected. Surgery should be followed by radical dose radio
therapy.